Before You Buy Area Rugs

Know these things before you purchase an area rug.

We want you to know. It’s as simple and important as that.
Important because your goal here is to find and purchase products
that will impact your home and home life.

We take that very seriously.

If we’ve met our goal of providing you with area rug knowledge,
hopefully you’re becoming a lot wiser shopper with a clearer
picture of this flooring category.

But there remain a number of specific things you should know and
understand about area rugs before you get into the buying phase.

So, before you buy, browse through this section for suggestions
and considerations about area rugs before you enter the area of
purchasing.

Being aware of and understanding some of the ins and outs of rugs
can only make you a more educated shopper, and increase your
confidence in your final decision.

We’ll cover area rugs in general first, and then end on antique
handmade rugs.

5 steps to laying down the ideal area rug.

There are five important elements to think about prior to
purchasing an area rug.

1. Size and shape: elementary but essential information.

Area rugs are made in different sizes and in different shapes.

The most common sizes are 2’x3’, 4’x6’, 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’ and
up.

Shapes are rectangle, round, square, oval, octagon or runners.

You should know that most handmade rugs are rectangular and have
standard sizes.

As a general rule, choosing the correct size area rug depends on
the dimensions of the room or space you are trying to cover.

Follow these guidelines to determine what size rug will best suit
your needs:

Measure the size of your room. (Measure twice to be sure.)

Measure the space you want covered. (Follow advice in first
bullet.)

Now place a piece of paper where each of the corners will
fall; adjust the “corners” as needed to make the space larger or
smaller and then re-measure the area. Be patient and careful.

If you want to cover the majority of the room, be sure to
leave a 12”-15” border of flooring exposed to set off your area
rug.

If you are placing an area rug under your dining room table,
select a rug that is large enough so that when seated at the
table the back legs of the chairs are on the rug with enough
space to push back and get up from the table.

2. Color: whether muted or vibrant, it’s a key factor.

Color is one of the most vital elements of an area rug, whether
its machine made or handmade.

The right combination of colors, expressed through the right
design, becomes more than an area rug, it becomes a work or art.
Your art.

Select a rug with colors that will visually enhance your room’s
décor.

The colors don’t have to match the other colors in the room
perfectly.

Some of the best interior designs feature new and interesting
combinations of colors that either contrast or compliment a
room’s color scheme.

So feel free to express yourself – think outside the box (room).

Colors are also an important factor in determining the origin of
many handmade rugs.

Different rug producing areas use different combinations of
colors and different types of dyes.

3. Pattern: it can help you form an opinion.

Pattern is one of the most helpful elements in narrowing down rug
selection, especially after size and color.

We define pattern as the way lines are used to form shapes on a
rug.

In the rug industry, pattern is divided into three categories:
curvilinear, geometric, and pictorial.

The first two refer to rugs with conventional motifs that are
woven with curving lines (curvilinear) or straight lines
(geometric).

The third (a much smaller group) refers to rugs that portray
people and/or animals.

4. Style: the goal is to find one that matches yours.

Style can be defined as the way different motifs, colors and
patterns give character to a rug.

Styles range from floral to contemporary to traditional. They can
also reflect a season, or a theme (nautical, birds, water). Roll
out your favorite!

The most important styles of handmade rugs that have existed, or
still do exist in various parts of the world, include: Persian,
Chinese, Turkoman, Caucasian, European, Anatolian, Tibetan,
Indian, Baluchi, North African, Native American, and East
Turkestan.

In addition, many of these styles have sub-styles.

For example, Tabriz is a sub-style of the Persian style.

Many styles or sub-styles are made in their place of origin as
well as in other countries or areas.

Consider that a Tabriz style rug may be made in Tabriz but it
could also be made in India. If you must know, ask your retailer.

5. Design: yours will probably be one of three.

All rugs can be divided into three major designs:

• All-over, in which motifs are spread throughout the rug.
• Medallion, where a large centerpiece is the focal point of the
design.
• One-sided, in which the design is woven in one direction.

Additionally, designs can be intricate or simple, solid, or
feature borders.

Buying an antique handmade rug? This advice is ageless,
unconditional.

If a Persian, Oriental or any other antique handmade rug is the
solution for the way you live, consider these two attributes
carefully.

1. Age: with antique rugs, time will tell.

The age attribute specifies how old a rug is.

There are three major timeline categories:

• Antique, over 60 years old.
• Semi-antique, between 25 and 60 years old.
• Contemporary, less than 25 years old.

2. Condition: what shape it’s in can shape your rug’s value.

Handmade rugs are classified according to these overall
conditions:

• Fine, a rug in excellent shape with no stains, tears
or holes, and no previous repair work.
• Average, a rug that may have undergone or may
require some minor repair.
• Worn, a rug which may have discoloration, fading,
insect or foundation damage.

Worn rugs should not be dismissed because, similar to fine and
average rugs, they can still have a very good resale value.

Some are even considered valuable antiques. So shop carefully.

Finally, be calculating! Figure the total cost of rug
ownership.

The price on the tag of the rug you’re buying is just one
component of your cost.

To ensure there are no surprises, and the rug you select fits
within your budget, be sure to ask your retailer to calculate
the total cost of your floor covering project.

Here’s a list of potential additional expenses you may incur:

Product delivery. Delivering your rug and installation
materials (padding) to your home may or may not be included in
the price you’re quoted.

Financing. Many retailers offer financing; financing is not
an additional cost but rather an option of payment.

Don’t forget to ask the retailer and consult the
manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for directions on how
frequently your rug should be cleaned and the cost to clean it.

There’s a lot to know and consider before buying your new area
rug but it’s well worth the effort.

Area rugs add beauty and style, charm and elegance, personality
and pride to any home.

We hope this section adds more knowledge, understanding and
practicality to your shopping experience.

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